By Our Reporter
The Delta State Government led by Governor Sheriff Oborovwori is poised in harnessing the vast potentials of agriculture for increased food security for Deltans in particular, and Nigeria in general.
Commissioner for Trade and Investment, who in his capacity as the Supervising Commissioner for Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel Ologida, made the assertion recently during a fact-finding meeting with Heads of Departments, Parastatals and their Deputies at the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources headquarters, Asaba, to discuss the operations and activities of the various sections.
Hon. Ologida in the company of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Basic Education and Secondary Education, who equally doubles as the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr. Augustine Oghoro, stated that agriculture as a key factor in the development of any economy, and crucial to achieving the State Government’s M.O.R.E Agenda, emphasized that the Governor has mandated him to deliver on the M.O.R.E Agenda.
He called for cooperation from all staff, on one hand, and cooperation among Heads of Departments; Parastatals, and their Deputies on the other, to work as a team as this will help to upscale agriculture to a wealth making venture for the State, while stating that staff should keep proper documentation of farm equipment, vehicles, among other agricultural utilities, saying that agricultural equipment and vehicles being capital intensive should not be mismanaged or handled nonchalantly, irrespective of whose tenure such facilities were procured.
He said government will always support farmers, noting that “hiring out farm imputs at highly subsidised rates with little or no returns, make maintenance and sustainability of government investments difficult and despite the agricultural subsidy, many beneficiaries still had reasons not to pay back grants or make meaningful returns on investment, which he said simply justifies the cliche that government has no business doing business”.
The Commissioner therefore, advised Heads of Departments, Parastatals and their Deputies to imbibe “smart, result-oriented thoughts in order to add value in running the process of increased food security, stressing that government will not tolerate mismanagement of government facilities and funds under their purview, as it cannot afford to dissipate limited resources on projects and investment that should be generating revenue, and self-sustaining.
Hon. Ologida further requested a complete list of contractors yet to carry out their projects to the letter and beneficiaries of farm inputs that refused to make returns as government will go after them, also stating that he would be visiting government sponsored farms and project sites to have on the spot assessment to enable government take necessary action.
Also, reacting to issues raised out of the Management briefing, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Oghoro averred that officials should show sincerity of purpose in handling government affairs, in order to encourage more government funding, pointing out that “government will not expect Ministries and its Parastatals to keep asking for funds or machineries all the time, whereas nothing to show for funds and equipment previouly collected”, while emphsising “that this could make government doubt the sincerity of such official’s requests. He further stressed that government will surely go after contractors yet to complete their work to the letter.
Mr. Oghoro also emphasized the importance of record keeping of beneficiaries of government agricultural resources, equipment, vehicles including tractors “to aid future agricultural, as well as economic planning.”
Earlier in their separate briefings, the Heads of Departments, Parastatals and Deputies commended the Commissioner for the meeting, as it afforded them the opportunity to discuss their strengths and challenges. Some of the challenges mentioned, included lack of adequate funding, shortage of staff, farm equipment, utility vehicles, office space, dilapidated buildings in many area offices, as well as security issues, among others.
Highlights of the meeting was the presentation of reports which enumerated the objectives and activities of the Departments and Parastatals by the various Heads to the Commissioner. Hon. Samuel Ologida in the presence of the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Augustine Oghoro.
